William G. Finnecy, CPA, CVA

Partner

William G. Finnecy is a partner with Malin Bergquist, one of Erie’s fastest-growing certified public accounting firms, with offices in Pittsburgh and Greensburg. He is a tax and valuation partner in Erie and leads the firm’s Forensic and Valuation Services niche.

Among Bill’s clients are businesses engaged in construction, industry, material handling, transportation, real estate and manufacturing, as well as influential non-profit agencies. Also, he handles individual tax returns for owners and executives of client organizations. He has been featured on the Erie Times-News’ front page about taxation reform.

Bill has a deep knowledge of the financial, tax and audit issues facing construction businesses. He also has consulted on multi-state tax strategies and compliance, performed audits and represented construction companies before federal, state and local taxing authorities. Among his specialties are leading edge research and development studies consulting, providing witness testimony in litigation, and serving as a certified valuation analyst and assisting in M&A buy/sell side consulting.

Bill’s other clients include some of the best-known companies in Northwest Pennsylvania. Among them are Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair, LLC; one of the oldest amusement parks in continuous use in the nation; an aerospace parts manufacturer in Northwestern Pennsylvania; a Great Lakes freight company; an Erie-based material handling equipment dealer; a real estate developer; and a registered investment advisor. In the non-profit arena, Bill’s clients include the Erie chapter of a national youth organization. He has spoken on tax and accounting issues at Gannon University and to a machining and tooling association.

Bill’s work for individuals has ranged from complex estate planning and family limited partnerships to closely held stock redemptions, stock option planning and compliance. He also has helped banks, brokers, registered investment advisors and attorneys regarding business and individual financial planning matters.

Before joining Malin Bergquist in 1999, Bill was a partner with an Erie CPA firm (1992-1999) and earlier was with a regional CPA firm in Cleveland (1988-1992). Bill attended the University of Illinois National Tax Education Program (1994-1997 and 2003). He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting (1988) from Kent State.

Professional & Community Affiliations - Bill is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (2004 President; Executive Committee Chair, Erie Chapter; and 2007 Chair of the statewide Nominations Committee) and Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is on the prestigious Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as a representative of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Bill is Treasurer of the Board of Governors of The Kahkwa Club. He often is a panelist on the Athena PowerLink Project supporting women owned business initiatives. An active advocate for PICPA/AICPA initiatives, he has been interviewed on Erie’s WJET-TV and WSEE-TV, and Pennsylvania House of Representatives Television about tax matters and the nation's financial literacy crisis ("Feed the Pig” campaign) and on television with U.S. Rep. Phil English warning taxpayers about delays in receiving refunds as a fallout from the Alternative Minimum Tax. He is an advisor to Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott, has assisted the Erie City Council, and volunteered with the Knights of Columbus and COSE Cleveland. He is a board director, treasurer and serves on the capital campaign of the Sight Center of Northwestern Pennsylvania and has served on the Campaign Cabinet of the United Way of Erie County and with its Leadership Giving Committee and Young Leaders Club (founder).